Kallis, Amla shine as SA put up 450 against Oz on day 3

Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla completed centuries to help South Africa to a commanding first innings total of 450 on the third day of the rain-disrupted first test against Australia on Sunday.

The tourists, reduced to 10 fit batsmen after an injury to JP Duminy, lost Dale Steyn for 15 and Morne Morkel for a duck after tea to bring an end to an impressive first knock at the Gabba.

Seamer Rory Kleinveldt was the last man standing for the Proteas but his first test innings was not without incident with 12 of his 17 runs coming from back-to-back sixes off spinner Nathan Lyon.

Amla scored a third century in his last four tests before falling for 104 to a harsh-looking lbw decision ahead of lunch, leaving Kallis to bat on to 147 before he too was dismissed in the fourth over after the first break.

South Africa's Hashim Amla (R) celebrates his century against Australia with his teammate Jacques Kallis. Reuters

Australian quick James Pattinson (3-93) had the experienced all rounder caught at gully by debutant Rob Quiney and then came back in his next over to remove AB de Villiers for 40, caught at point by David Warner.

Pace bowler Vernon Philander managed to bring up the 400 mark for his country with a huge six to deep midwicket before he too was caught, in the slips off Peter Siddle by Australia captain Michael Clarke for 11.

Steyn survived an lbw decision off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus thanks to the TV review system, leaving Jacques Rudolph to become Australia's seventh victim when he sliced a Lyon delivery to Quiney at cover for 31.

The tourists had resumed on 255 for two after the second day had been washed away by the Brisbane rain and although Australia's pace attack bowled better than they had on day one, Amla soon had the 10 runs he needed for his 17th test hundred.

The 29-year-old cut Pattinson for the seventh four of his innings to reach the mark, continuing the purple patch that included a century against England at Lord's and an unbeaten 311 at the Oval.

Amla had added just one more run to his tally when a Peter Siddle ball caught him high on the pad and umpire Asad Rauf sent him back to the pavilion.

TV replays confirmed the ball would have gone over the stumps but Amla decided not to appeal after consulting Kallis and their 165-run partnership was over.

There was now a stiff breeze blowing over the Gabba but in the next over, the evergreen Kallis smacked two runs through midwicket to bring up his 44th test hundred.

Kallis soon brought up the 300 for his country with a slashed four over point and he and de Villiers put together a 50 partnership in just 99 balls.

The Gabba paused for two minutes' silence in memory of the dead of the two World Wars but reflection failed to galvanise the Australian team and South Africa batted on until Hilfenhaus removed Steyn and Morkel just after tea.

South Africa's number one ranking is on the line in the series, which concludes with matches in Adelaide and Perth after Brisbane.